Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
sure-enough

sure-enough

1 8.1
Clearly real and not fake to show you really mean it
  • adjective
  • /ʃʊr ɪˈnʌf/
  • Informal
translation icon : realmente
  • You have to see this to believe it's a sure-enough diamond.

Examples

  • He was sure enough of his abilities to take on the challenge.

  • That was a sure-enough tornado that ripped through town last night.

  • He finally caught a sure-enough trout after hours of fishing.

  • He was sure-enough about his decision.

  • I found the book to be sure-enough interesting!

  • She felt sure enough about her decision to share it with everyone.

  • After studying for weeks, he was sure enough to pass the exam.

Synonyms

true
vssure-enough
993 1.0

Recognized as real, for example an owner or heir

is informal emphatic use focusing only on being real, not those broader senses
authentic
vssure-enough
218 3.8

Something that is real and trustworthy, not a fake

is informal emphasis on genuineness, not formal trustworthiness or origin
genuine
vssure-enough
156 3.2

Truly felt and not fake, for example a smile or apology

is more general emphasis on being real rather than inner sincerity
real live
vssure-enough
  • Informal
25 3.9

Present in person and not imaginary

is used informally to stress genuineness rather than physical existence
honest-to-goodness
vssure-enough
  • Informal
6 7.7

Real and not fake

is the same idea but a different colloquial expression
honest-to-god
vssure-enough
  • Informal
1 7.9

Truly real and not fake

is the same meaning but a different informal phrase
legit
vssure-enough
  • Informal
1 8.5

To say that something is really true or serious

is used informally simply to mean genuine without implying seriousness
dinkum
vssure-enough
  • Australian
9.9

Real and honest, not false

is the general informal emphasis rather than a regionally marked term

Antonyms

fake
833 1.8

Not real and made to look like something real

false
715 1.0

Not true or correct

How Real

sure-enough
  • Informal
1 8.1
genuine
156 3.2
fake
833 1.8

Surface Forms

sure-enough positive

Morphology

sure-enough = sure + enough (semi-transparent) = sure + enough

The components 'sure' and 'enough' are recognizable, but the colloquial meaning 'real/genuine' is an idiomatic intensification rather than a literal 'sufficiently certain'.

Etymology

The word sure-enough comes from the common words sure ('certain') and enough ('completely'). So, calling something sure-enough is an informal way to say it is truly real or genuine.